Key holder



May 1, 1951.

H; Q. QUAN 2,551,158

KEY HOLDER Filed March 30, 1948 Fig.2

1; m d: HI: H6

L J l I 14 u Fig. 3.

. r 6 I al I F/g 4 Herbert Oue Ouan INVEN TOR.

BY Qmaofia rum yam? Patented May 1, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to key holders, and the primary object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind in which keys may be easily inserted or removed, and into which such keys may be folded when not in use so as to be out of the way.

A further object of the invention is to provide a key holder which is comparatively simple in construction, easy and economical to manufacture, and convenient to use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a key holder which is emcient in use and involves simple and novel means for releasably retaining the keys in folded position within the case of the holder.

The exact nature of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a key holder constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a central longitudinal sectional view thereof taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken on line 44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the blank from which the case of the present holder is formed; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the device for retaining the keys within the case.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the present key holder comprises a substantially U-shaped case 5 having spaced elongated end portions 6 connected at corresponding ends by a short intermediate portion 1. A transverse pivot member 8, adapted to loosely fit in the perforations of keys, is fixed to one end portion 6- near the free end of the latter and projects toward and normally contacts the other end portion 6 to retain the keys on said pivot member. Said other end portion is resilient and flexible away from the pivot member 8 as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 2 to permit placement of keys on or removal of the same from said pivot member 8.

A transverse stop member 9 is carried by the case between the intermediate portion 1 and the pivot member 8 and extends from one end portion 6 to the other to limit folding of keys into the case when swung about the pivot member 8.

Manually releasable means is provided to retain the keys in folded position within the case against the stop member 9. This means preferably includes an elongated plate I0 rotatably 2 mounted on the pivot member 8 and having lateral angular keeper lug H at one end positionable adjacent the stop member .9 to retain the keys against the latter Within the case when said plate In is turned. to the position shown by full lines in the several views. Conversely, when the plate In is given a half turn to the dotted line position of Figure 4, the keys may be swung out of the case away from the stop member 9 in position for use. The other end of the plate Ill projects from the case when said plate I0 is in the key retaining position as clearly shown in Figures 1, 2 and l, whereby to facilitate engagement of a finger therewith for turning the same.

Means is provided to hold the plate H3 against turning when in the key-retaining position. As shown, the plate I0 may be embossed to provide a teat I2 engageable in an opening l3 of the adjacent end portion 6 of the case, for the latter purpose.

The case is preferably stamped from an elongated and suitably shaped strip of spring sheet metal, as shown in Figure 5. As shown, the pivot member 8 and stop member 9 are preferabl in the form of tongues 8' and 9, respectively, struck from and bent at right angles to one of the end portions 6 of the case. Also, the keeper lug II preferably consists of a tongue formed integral with the plate Ill and bent at right angles to the latter at the end thereof remote to the point of pivotal mounting of the plate ID on the pivot member 8. Plate l0 preferably has a circular opening H! in which the pivot member 8 loosely fits to rotatably mount said plate ill on said pivot member.

Struck longitudinally from and intermediate the side edges of the end portion 6 of the case which does not carry the tongues 8 and 9 is an integral pocket-engaging clip [5 for use in holding the key holder within the users pocket in a manner similar to that in which clips of a similar type are employed on fountain pens, pencils and the like. This clip 15 is provided by suitably bending an elongated and suitably shaped tongue I5 which is stamped from the mentioned end portion 6 of the case.

tain the keys on the latter, and such placement of the keys on the pivot member is accomplished with the plate It) turned to the dotted line released position of Figure 4. The keys may then be swung into the case and against the stop member 9 as indicated in Figure 4, whereupon the plate may be turned to the full line position of the same figure until the teat l2 snaps into the opening [3 of the case for holding said plate in the full line position of the several figures. When this is done, the free end portions of the keys are effectively held between the stop member 9 and keeper lug II. By engagin the protruding end of plate It], the latter may be returned to the dotted line position of Figure 4 so as to allow swinging of the keys from the case for use.

From the foregoing description, it is believed that the construction, operation and advantages of the present invention will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art. Modifications and changes in details of construction are contemplated, such as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A key holder comprising a substantially U- shaped case having spaced elongated end portions integrally connected at corresponding ends by a short intermediate portion, a transverse pivot member integral with one end portion near the free end thereof and projecting to and contacting the other end portion for removable and rotatable reception of keys thereon, said other end portion being resilient and flexible away from said pivot member, a transverse stop. member integral with said one end portion and disposed within the case between the intermediate portion thereof and said pivot member to limit folding of the keys into the case, an elongated plate rotatably mounted on the pivot member and having a lateral keeper lug at one end positionable adjacent the stop member to retain the, keys against the latter within the case when said plate is turned to one position, the other end of said plate projecting from the case when in said position to facilitate engagement of a finger therewith for turning the same so as to move the keeper lug away from the stop member and permit the keys to swing out of the case, and means to releasably hold the plate against turning when moved to said position.

2. A key holder comprising a substantially U- shaped case having spaced elongated end portions integrally connected at corresponding ends by a short intermediate portion, a transverse pivot member adapted to loosely fit in the perforations of keys and fixed to one end portion near the free end of the latter and projecting toward and normally contacting the other end portion to retain the keys on said pivot member, said other end portion being resilient and flexible away from the pivot member to permit placement of keys on or removal of the same from said pivot member, a transverse stop member integral with said one end portion and disposed between the intermediate portion and the pivot member and extending from said one end portion to the other to limit folding of keys into the case when swung about the pivot member, an elongated plate rotatably mounted on the pivot member and having a lateral keeper lug at one end positionable adjacent the stop member to retain the keys against the latter within the case when said plate is turned to one position, and means to releasably hold the plate against turning when moved to said position.

HERBERT QUE QUAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,619,582 Long Mar. 1, 1927 1,649,402 Gildemeister Nov. 15, 1,927 1,679,274 Settle July 31, 1928 1,800,064 Getts Apr. 7, 1931 1,909,735 Vavrosky May 16, 1933 2,422,436 Plaud June 17., 1947 2,467,614 Duyn Apr. 19, 1949 

